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YARDY: Michael to stand down as captain in four-day and 40-over cricket

31-Jul-2012

Sussex County Cricket Club have announced that Michael Yardy has decided to step down as captain for the LV=County Championship and Clydesdale Bank 40 competitions.

He will continue as captain for the remainder of the season in the Friends Life t20 as Sussex head to Finals Day at the end of August, and will be replaced by Ed Joyce in four-day and 40-over cricket. Joyce will lead the side in tomorrow’s LV=CC match against Worcestershire which takes place at The PROBIZ County Ground, Hove.

Yardy, 31, took over the captaincy at Hove in 2009, leading the County to three trophies and a Lord's final during a period of transformation within the playing squad, marked by the retirement of a number of senior players. He was also a key part of the England team which won the World Twenty20 in 2010 to claim their first global tournament victory.

Yardy said, “I have decided to step down as captain in order to concentrate on my own game. There are many things I still wish to achieve as a player which will also hopefully help contribute to the team winning more silverware.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for all the effort they have put in over my time as captain and I look forward to leading the team at t20 Finals Day”.

Sussex’s Professional Cricket Manager Mark Robinson said, “Michael has been an incredibly dedicated captain who has worked tirelessly and selflessly for the good of the Club. I know he is still incredibly ambitious both for the Club and himself and we wish him all the best in fulfilling those goals. Ed Joyce will now take over the captaincy duties until the end of the season with the same responsibilities as Michael had including the final say on selection."